Students at Anneliese Schools' Willowbrook Campus recently completed their study in African culture through the school's newest Scholar in Residence series.
With support from the SEEDS Arts and Education Program, the Scholar in Residence program included three work sessions led by Rose Mwangi, an African culture teacher and assistant to the late Anneliese Schimmelpfennig. The sessions consisted of lessons in African culture through songs, rhythms, costumes, instruments, dance, geography, language and more.
“The upper grades were immersed in African culture, language and dance while working with Ms. Rose,” said Joshua Lerch, fifth grade teacher at Anneliese Schools. “The students looked forward to her engaging and interactive lessons and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get up and move. Our time together culminated in an evening of traditional African songs and dances that left everyone glowing and impressed. What an extraordinary experience for everyone.”
The Scholar in Residence program was implemented in fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade classrooms. All students presented their knowledge of African culture in a presentation held for parents on February 15 after the program ended.
Mwangi said her “Resident Scholar” series of workshops taught children about the diversity of African culture and was an exhilarating experience that opened their minds to the richness of the continent’s heritage.
“It was an informative time and an exciting moment as well, especially when it came to learning the dances, songs and rhythms of the African people,” Mwangi said. “Their ability to learn and understand different words in different African languages was amazing. I believe this experience was not only about gaining knowledge, but also to teach them how to embrace diversity in the world.”
The Scholar in Residence program is a unique enhancement to the school's permanent curriculum each semester. It introduces students to dive deeper into different topics that reflect the value system of Anneliese Schools. It is an opportunity for the school to bring in an expert in his or her field to engage students in different studies to enrich their existing learning foundation.
“Anneliese Schools have always woven world languages and cultural learning into the fabric of every day,” said Maria Onsi, Primary School Principal. “Any time we can expand our students' awareness and appreciation of languages and traditions from other countries, it expands their humanity and their potential to communicate. Interacting with diverse personalities, hearing different points of view, and exposing children to different cultural traditions, values, and languages shows them that there is a richness in In Diversity. Ms Rose's informative and inspiring programme, The African Cultural Experience, has taught them a lot about the countries of the African continent, their languages, traditions, music and dance, and we hope it will inspire them to see the beauty in diversity.
